Latest Articles and Resources
- The Six Realms -- Buddhist Six Realms of Existence and SamsaraUpdated: Tue Jul 8 02:20:58 2008
The Six Realms are an allegorical description of conditioned existence, or samsara, into which beings are reborn. The nature and conditions of one's existence is determined by karma. Certainly some… - BuddhismUpdated: Mon Jul 7 01:17:15 2008
Here you can find clear explanations of Buddhism's origins and history, its basic doctrines, the distinctive features of major schools, and essential background for understanding how Buddhism impac… - Zen 101 -- A Brief Introduction to Zen BuddhismUpdated: Sun Jul 6 23:43:06 2008
This is a bare-bones introduction to Zen Buddhism for those who don't know Zen from spinach. It includes a brief history of the school and the Zen definition of Zen… - Buddhism Basics -- An Introduction to BuddhismUpdated: Sun Jul 6 23:17:10 2008
There's more to Buddhism than shaving one's head, wearing orange robes and being blissful. Here is a guide to the basic basics for those who don't know nothin' about Buddhism… - Buddhism Basics -- Start Here to Learn About BuddhismUpdated: Sun Jul 6 23:09:47 2008
A guided introduction to the basic, foundational philosophy, doctrines and teachings of Buddhism. … - Karma for Buddhists 101 -- Introduction to the Buddhist Understandi…Updated: Sun Jul 6 18:55:05 2008
Understanding the laws of karma is essential to understanding Buddhism. Yet karma is mostly misunderstood by Westerners. This essay briefly explains the Buddhist view of karma… - Buddhist Teachers -- How to Find a Good Buddhist TeacherUpdated: Sun Jul 6 11:33:36 2008
Why do Buddhists need teachers? How do you find a teacher? How can you tell real Buddhist teachers from frauds? Here are some basic guidelines to help you find the right teacher for you… - The Four Dharma Seals -- The Four Dharma Seals Define BuddhismUpdated: Sun Jul 6 11:22:43 2008
Buddhism is distinguished by four characteristics, called the Four Dharma Seals. Any religion or philosophy that contains these four seals is Buddhist, whether it calls itself "Buddhist" … - The Life of the Buddha -- Siddhartha Gautama, the Founder of BuddhismUpdated: Sun Jul 6 01:50:46 2008
This simple account of the historic Buddha's life covers his early life, the Four Passing Sights, the Renunciation, the Quest, his Enlightenment, and his later life as a teacher. … - Karma -- Karma or Kamma Is Cause and EffectUpdated: Sun Jul 6 00:20:13 2008
Karma means "intentional action" and refers to the universal law of cause and effect… - The Practice of Buddhism -- About Buddhist PracticeCreated: Wed Jul 2 23:11:54 2008
Being a Buddhist is not a matter of accepting a belief system or memorizing doctrines. To be a Buddhist is to practice Buddhism. This section discusses Buddhist practice -- what it is, how it's don… - Practicing Buddhism -- What Buddhists Mean by PracticeCreated: Wed Jul 2 02:31:38 2008
Buddhists often speak of Buddhism as a practice rather than a faith. What exactly is Buddhist practice?… - Taking Refuge in the Three Jewels -- Becoming a BuddhistUpdated: Tue Jul 1 23:36:06 2008
To become a Buddhist is to take refuge in the Three Jewels, also called the Three Treasures -- the Buddha, the Dharma, the Sangha. This essay explains what "taking refuge" means to a Budd… - Bardo Thodol, Tibetan Book of the Dead -- About the Tibetan Book of …Updated: Sun Jun 29 18:42:05 2008
The Bardo Thodol -- "Liberation Through Hearing in the Intermediate State," known commonly as "The Tibetan Book of the Dead" -- is best known as a guide through the intermediate… - The Four Schools of Tibetan BuddhismUpdated: Sat Jun 28 01:23:31 2008
Here is an introduction to the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism with links to more information about each… - Three Marks of ExistenceUpdated: Sat Jun 28 00:53:23 2008
The three characteristics -- impermanence, suffering and egolessness -- mark all compounded things. The Three Marks are also sometimes called the Three … - Atheism and Buddhism -- Buddhism as an Atheistic ReligionUpdated: Tue Jun 24 20:36:56 2008
If atheism is the absence of belief in gods, then many Buddhists are atheists. Why then do Buddhists pray and bow to Buddha figures on altars?… - Mahayana Buddhism -- What Is Mahayana BuddhismUpdated: Tue Jun 24 17:37:18 2008
Mahayana Buddhism contains such a wide range of doctrines and practices that few blanket statements can cover it. There are a few basic teachings that distinguish all forms of Mahayana, however. He… - Beginner Zen BooksUpdated: Sat Jun 21 10:15:11 2008
These are good beginner-level books for people who want to learn about Zen Buddhism. Although Zen itself is not something that can be learned from books, these might tell you if Zen is something yo… - My So-Called Zen Practice: Personal ReflectionsUpdated: Sat Jun 21 10:01:40 2008
This is about Zen and me (or should I say, not-me?). If you don't mind some rambling personal reflections, then welcome to my world. Kick off your shoes and take a seat… - The Eightfold Path -- Buddhist Path to EnlightenmentUpdated: Fri Jun 20 23:15:02 2008
The Eightfold Path is the Buddha's prescription for relieving suffering. It is the means by which one can realize enlightenment and enter Nirvana… - What Is the Self: What Buddhism Teaches About the SelfUpdated: Fri Jun 20 23:11:52 2008
The Buddha taught that an individual is a combination of five aggregates, called the Five Skandhas. The skandhas are empty of intrinsic self; the self is no-self (anatman or anatta in Theravada Bud… - Theravada Buddhism -- What Is Theravada BuddhismUpdated: Fri Jun 20 22:13:33 2008
The distinctive practices and teachings of Theravada, the oldest school of Buddhism. … - Anger and Buddhism -- What Buddhism Teaches About AngerUpdated: Fri Jun 20 22:09:56 2008
Anger is a poison and an obstacle to enlightenment, the Buddha said. Yet we all get angry. What does Buddhism teach about dealing with anger?… - Enlightenment and Nirvana -- Buddhist Teachings on Nirvana and Enlig…Updated: Fri Jun 20 22:08:05 2008
The Buddha taught that we can put an end to suffering and escape the cycles of life and death. This cessation of suffering is called "enlightenment" (bodhi, "awakened"). The enl… - Buddhist Bhavana: Introduction to Buddhist MeditationUpdated: Fri Jun 20 01:55:41 2008
All Buddhist meditation practices are forms of bhavana. Here is a basic explanation of bhavana and how it is practiced in Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism… - Avalokiteshvara -- Avalokiteshvara Is the Bodhisattva of CompassionUpdated: Fri Jun 20 01:52:08 2008
Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva is beloved to Mahayana Buddhists as the embodiment of infinite compassion. … - Buddhism and Vegetarianism: Not All Buddhists Are VegetarianUpdated: Fri Jun 20 01:43:51 2008
The historical Buddha and his disciples were not vegetarians. Why then did vegetarianism come to be associated with Buddhism?… - The Metta Sutta -- Explanation of the Metta SuttaUpdated: Fri Jun 20 01:41:58 2008
The Metta Sutta, or Sutra of Loving Kindness, is one of the most beloved of all Buddhist texts. Here is an explanation of the sutta and links to online English translations… - Buddhist Retreats -- Start Your Spiritual Path With a Buddhist Retre…Updated: Fri Jun 20 01:37:14 2008
Retreats are a great way to initiate a personal exploration of Buddhism, and of yourself. Here is advice about how to find authentic Buddhist retreats and what to expect when you participate in one… - Ritual and Buddhism -- The Purpose of Buddhist RitualsUpdated: Fri Jun 20 01:33:17 2008
Can there be Buddhism without the rituals? Maybe, but the rituals do have a purpose… - Mara, Lord of Death -- About the Buddhist Demon MaraCreated: Fri Jun 20 01:28:46 2008
The demon Mara plays a role in many stories of the Buddha and his monks, and in particular the story of the Buddha's enlightenment. This article discusses Mara's origins and what he represents in B… - What Is a Bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism, and Are Bodhisattvas RealUpdated: Fri Jun 20 01:23:38 2008
Bodhisattvas are idealized in Mahayana art and literature, and they are also ordinary people. They exemplify compassion and wisdom, and they vow to help all beings realize enlightenment and enter N… - The Kalama Sutta: The Buddha's Charter of Free InquiryUpdated: Fri Jun 20 01:17:34 2008
In the Kalama Sutta, the Buddha challenges us to judge the truth of teachings for ourselves. He assures us that it is proper to have doubts and questions and provides criteria we can apply in our o… - Anatman -- Anatman or Anatta is a foundational Buddhist teachingUpdated: Wed Jun 18 22:31:32 2008
No-self; the central Buddhist teaching that individual identity is ephemeral. … - "Mama" Moshan, Zen MasterUpdated: Wed Jun 18 03:06:37 2008
Moshan Liaoran was an 9th century Chinese Buddhist nun who became recognized as an authentic Ch'an (Zen) master. Remarkably for the time, she had male as well as female followers… - Koan -- Koans and Zen BuddhismUpdated: Tue Jun 17 21:19:00 2008
In Zen Buddhism, koans are small presentations of the nature of ultimate reality, usually presented as a paradox. … - Evil in Buddhism -- How Buddhists Understand EvilUpdated: Sun Jun 15 16:16:33 2008
This essay explores common conceptualizations of evil and compares them to Buddhist teachings on evil. Part One explains why Buddhism rejects most common definitions of "evil."… - Eight DharmapalasUpdated: Sun Jun 15 16:07:51 2008
They're they're wrathful, they're terrifying, and they're the good guys. Dharmapalas are fearsome creatures of Vajrayana Buddhism who aid and protect Buddhists… - The First Buddhist Scriptures -- The Tripitaka or Pali CanonUpdated: Wed Jun 11 17:25:34 2008
The earliest written scriptures of Buddhism are collected in the Tripitaka, also called the Pali Canon. What is in the Tripitaka, and where did these texts come from?…